What's the Market For 12 Years of Concussions?

Trent Green may want to pay attention to this one, as it appears that (former?) Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas is looking for a long-term contract to reward his 12 years of hard work in the NFL.

And when you're an aging linebacker in search of a deal, where better to look than New England? A graduated Junior Seau found home on the East Coast, and Tedy Bruschi is no spring chicken. Thankfully for Thomas, both of the aforementioned are free agents this season, and may not be back to open up a slot in their vaunted 3-4.

The catch will obviously been in the "guaranteed money" portion as I can't imagine many teams would want to back up the truck for a 35-year old linebacker that has missed a handful of games over the last few years, with the most recent due to concussions - not the greatest of injuries for a veteran to endure.

For those that missed Super Agent Drew Rosenhaus over the past few months may be in luck with this one, as he's being mighty persistent.

“We had a great visit in New England,” agent Drew Rosenhaus wrote in a text message last night. “They offered him a contract and we will continue negotiations.”

Read: They didn't offer us enough money, so we'll make a few more phone calls.

Dallas, New Orleans, Buffalo and the New York Jets are all said to be interested in Thomas' services. New Orleans seems like a decent option to me, as their linebacking corps could use some veteran leadership (and some talent to go with it). But if any team is loose enough with their wallet to give Thomas long-term, guaranteed money, I would be shocked - unless it was with the New York Knicks.

Report: Patriots make offer to Zach Thomas [Providence Journal]

Your Halftime Entertainment Will Be...

If you had the chance to catch the Browns/Jets game from a few weeks ago, one thing you may (or may not) have noticed were the empty seats that littered The Meadowlands during halftime.

Typically, I try to get whatever it is that I need right before halftime, as I'm not a huge fan of shoulder-bumping thousands of fans while attempting to get a refill or whathaveyou. Not the case for your average Jets fan.

At least until this week.

A longstanding tradition of halftime harassment at Jets home games ended Sunday when the Jets and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority banned the sale of alcohol and blocked access to the two spiral ramps at Gate D during the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Banning the sale of alcohol at a professional football game is nearly unheard of. Banning the sale of alcohol, something used to ease the pain of watching the Jets is a totally other subject.

Leave it to the New York Times to ruin something that was only shared by Jets fans with camera phones as well as those with a keen sense of YouTube navigation.

On Sunday, there was a beefed-up security presence at all eight of the stadium’s ramps, but only access to the Gate D ramps was blocked off by metal bicycle racks from five minutes before halftime until the start of the third quarter.

Reportedly, there was no warning of the alcohol ban, though sales typically end right after halftime. This is in comparison to other stadiums, most of which stop sales at the end of the third quarter. Fans can breathe a sigh of relief as this was only a "one game ban" and things should be back to normal come next season. Perhaps, aside from the ritual of Gate D.

No Boom King For Me

Feet, don't fail me now!
Man...Get me the heck outta here!

You're telling me that we're going with a second-year quarterback against Washington this week? Sean Taylor plays for Washington. So does LaRon Landry. Didn't you see what they did to Plax? Reggie Brown? You know what? I think my head's starting to hurt. Yea, yea. I think I have a concussion!

Practice? Nope, sorry...Can't practice today. You guys let Erik sit out last week against Buffalo. You know, he had that concussion as well. What about Vilma? Oh, he's out all season? No, no...I think I just need one game off. I think it'd be best if I sit this one out, ya know?

This Brad Smith guy has been telling me that he'd love to get some playing time in my place. I think he deserves a shot. He's a hard worker.

Hey, isn't Justin McCareins still on this team? Let him go out there and run across the middle for a jump ball from the new guy.

What ever happened to that Wayne Chrebet fellow? He retired? Too many concussions? See I told you he should have had a game or two off. He was a little woozy out there - like I am now. I can't believe I forgot about him. Man, this is some crazy stuff. My head hurts.

Coles Has Concussion, Likely to Sit on Sunday [New York Daily News]
Sean Taylor Is The Boom King [Mister Irrelevant]

Sunday's Forecast Calls For More Chad

One more week of this, Jets fans
Though the New York Jets have gone from playoffs to barely playing, Newsday reports that Jets fans will see more of the same come this Sunday.

[Jets Head Coach Eric] Mangini announced this morning that Chad Pennington is the starting quarterback this weekend. Following his evaluation during the last two days, Mangini said he liked Pennington's decision-making as well as his play-making, pointing to his 5-yard scramble on third-and-5 ("Classic Chad," he said) and the Jets' final TD and 2-point conversion with no time remaining.

The other option that the Jets have is going with second-year quarterback Kellen Clemens. If you remember back to the Jets-Ravens contest, Clemens pretty much orchestrated a comeback until a pass was deflected in the end zone and ended up in the hands of Ray Lewis - who is not on the Jets.

With the Jets being 1-6 and coming off of a very winnable game last week in Cincinnati, one has to think that this coming week against Buffalo will be Pennington's last chance to remain the starting quarterback. In fact, it was the Bills that have given the Jets their only win of the season to this point so there is still a ray of hope.

Fans just may want to hold off on any future purchases of a Pennington jersey, as he's obviously not going to be the long-term answer for a struggling team.

It's Chad [Newsday]

Morning YouTubeness: Conan and Strahan

Morning, all. There isn't much out there in terms of quality NFL material today, which you'll typically have on Thursdays. However, I did stumble upon this clip of Giants defensive lineman Michael Strahan on Conan. Of course, Strahan was there to talk about his book Something Something Sunday Warrior.

Speaking of, Conan should no longer carry a last name. Like there are other Conan's out there. Just drop it.

And before you ask how this video is the least bit entertaining, it's because I find it a bit humorous when 300 lb. men have lisps and go on national television to talk. It's even better when they pretend they're authors. Enjoy.

Morning YouTubeness: New England Is Not A State?

"Are you that sick in the head?"

Apparently "The Garv" wants to wish us all a very good morning. He's gone incognito to give us all the lowdown on all things Jets. Just what we all were hoping for.

Oh, and the Jets are going 14-2. Book it.

Everybody's Doing It

While I've been out of the loop for a minute, it didn't take long to get my hands around the whole Bill Belichick situation.

Obviously, the situation I'm referring to is Belichick's illegal videotaping of the opposing teams sideline - which quickly resulted in a press conference and apology from the New England Head Coach.

I do not get a lot of time to read every major columnist in the nation, but one guy I try to dig into as much as possible is the Miami Herald's Dan LeBatard. Though he's often a bit out of the loop as Miami Beacher's can be at times, he's all over the allegations that are taking place hundreds of miles north. In today's piece, LeBatard says the following:

Everybody in the game does it. It is impossible to know just how much of an advantage it gives you, although people are willing to fracture rules and honor in an attempt to find out. It is an artificial enhancer of your natural talent that offers you a competitive advantage and lopsides the playing field.

Are we talking about steroids here or stealing signs?

Comparing Belichick to Barry Bonds seems a bit apropos given the recent scandal in baseball coupled with breaking the home run record. LeBatard then takes it a step further.

Not the same?

You are right.

Belichick's crime is probably worse morally because he ought to know better as the authority figure, and because he was specifically told that videotaping signs was prohibited and he flatly ignored the warning anyway.

After throwing out more words like "arrogance" and "defiance," which are terms that have been used when discussing Belichick's demeanor for quite some time.

And if you think this is just opposing fans finally getting a chance to get back at a guy with several Super Bowl rings, you're wrong. The Boston Globe's Jackie MacMullen takes a swing as well, though not as harsh. Dare I say, she hits like a girl? I kid.

Regardless of who chimes in from the MSM, this is far from over - at least for this week. The best part about sports is the attention span given to certain "scandals." It's not every day that we get a Michael Vick-esque story, so those deserve longevity. Just wait for the next scandal to hit, and Belichick will be in the clear - no pun intended, Mr. Bonds.

Belichick No Different Than Bonds [Miami Herald]
You're Too Smart... [Boston Globe]

Morning YouTubeness: I Will Not Lose

Happy Friday, folks. This guy's name is Jonathan Vilma. He's a middle linebacker for the New York Jets. While the "I Will Not Lose" bit is somewhat ironic given the move that Adrian Peterson put on him, he still seems like a decent guy.

A 3.5 grade point average is good for anyone, especially someone that has to dedicate as much time to extracurriculars as Vilma. Unless you're Craig Krenzel. Because he was a 4.0 molecular science major, in case you didn't hear that over 45 times over the last few years. Maybe that's why Vilma's still in the NFL...

Queue Up The Berman Sound Effects

Rookie running back Adrian Peterson had a decent evening on limited work this past weekend. Thanks to the boys at KSK, we get to see a few of his carries. The best one by far is the first carry from scrimmage that coupled a Madden-esque spin move with a little bit of shoulder for the defensive back down field.



While Chester Taylor is still in tow, it'll be tough for Minnesota to not give way to Peterson. Let's just hope that his shoulder-lowering antics coupled with the astroturf in the dome don't land him on the injured list by week eight.

About Time, Darrelle

One of my first posts on this here blog was regarding the holdout of first round selection Darrelle Revis. Of course, I wanted to know why no one made a big deal about his holdout, but those of JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn (at the time) were in the news every day. And of course, I received no answers.

Well, we get back on the Revis tip this morning as the official New York Jets web site reports that the team is very close on signing the defensive back - that they traded up to draft, mind you.

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said the following:

"I'd say we're very close. A couple of issues need to be resolved. We've worked very hard to try to find a solution that works for both sides. We're very close and we're going to try to see this thing through."

Tannenbaum continued on to compliment Revis' agent, saying that he's made great efforts to get his client signed. I'm not sure when we entered the world of GM's sucking up to agents, but we have...at least in New York.

They'll need to get this kid in camp as soon as possible, as I'm thinking Tom Brady can't wait to test him on week 1. No excuses Darrelle. No excuses.

Morning YouTubeness: Nuge!

'Morning, folks. Sip some coffee and enjoy this little clip of former Ohio State Buckeye and current New York Jet Mike Nugent. Fixed or not, I'm digging it.



(via Dan Shanoff via NFL Fanhouse)

Weekend Wrap-Up

I haven't really decided what I'm going to do about the weekends. I, for one, would rather be outside with a beer - nowhere near a computer - but maybe that's just me. So for now, I think I'll just sprinkle a few links regarding what went on over the last 48 hours or so. Suggestions are definitely welcome.

In a love story for the ages, Chris Cooley will be marrying his longtime girlfriend. She just so happens to be an ex-Redskins cheerleader, who was booted from the squad for dating the tight end. I love that they call him Captain Chaos in D.C.

Romeo Crennel took a huge stance by electing to have his starting quarterback decided by a coin toss. No, really.

Despite all of the hype and youtubness about PacMan Jones' wrestling debut, it appears that the Titans want nothing of the sort. This comes as a big surprise considering he was a first round slection and all.

The Jaguars apparently had a rough night. Tim Couch is likely second-guessing that whole contract thing. (h/t to the Fanhouse)

A few suspensions were handed down.

No Michael Vick? No problem, as that Joey Harrington guy did alright. Yes, the Falcons lost to the Jets, but hey...think positive.

And finally, Steely McBeam. The Steelers new mascot with the questionable-at-best name. Yea, well it appears that Pittsbugh isn't a big fan. I'm sure pictures like this don't help much.

That's all she wrote folks. Until tomorrow...

Darrelle "Under the Radar" Revis

Now that Brady Quinn has agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Browns, there are two unsigned first round draft picks. I'm sure you all know about JaMarcus Russell. While most teams tend to get their first overall selections signed before draft day even occurs (even if it is the wrong pick in the end...Houston), Oakland has decided to go against the grain a bit and duke it out over dollars long into camp.

Regardless, I was a bit shocked to know that the Jets haven't signed their first round selection either. Yep, the one that they traded up to get. Darrelle Revis remains unsigned with the first preseason game within days. What I want to know is, why isn't this as big of a deal as the others? Is it because Quinn and Russell are quarterbacks? New York is a way bigger market than either Oakland or Cleveland. Shouldn't their pick be signed by now?

The St. Louis Rams have signed lineman Adam Carriker. Pittsburgh has signed linebacker Lawrence Timmons. I'm thinking it shouldn't be too, too difficult to split the difference and agree on some terms to get the kid in camp.